The United Trade Front of the Ceylon Electricity Board comprising 29 trade unions yesterday expressed satisfaction on the move by Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Senevirtane for not taking up the much discussed Sri Lanka Electricity Bill in Parliament yesterday.

However, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna backed Lanka Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya Convener H. A. Ranjan Jayalal told The Island yesterday that the Front is closely monitoring the moves of the Power and Energy Ministry.

"What we doubt is an amendment within the proposals we had forwarded. If such alterations are made we have to go for the planned strike action," he said. They are against any move that would lead to the privatisation of the CEB, he said.

He said that the CEB is working towards an agenda of international monetary organisations and these organisations are keen on privatising the CEB despite senior members including Seneviratne being against such a move.

However, sources close to Minister Seneviratne said the CEB will not be privatised as the Mahinda Chintana clearly indicated.